A strange phenomenon followed me around NY, NY. While this Boston Examiner took to the streets of New York City to reunite with long lost university buddies, a peculiar trend was witnessed first hand in the super premium beverage sector.
I usually travel in stages throughout the night on a weekend trip to NY. First I settle into my hotel room in Long Island City because I can drive my own car into NY and not be killed with a parking king’s ransom. Second, I can jump a block away onto the “N” train with my pre-loaded Metro Card and be in Manhattan in minutes without worrying about drinking and driving. I’m older now and smarter than your average bear. As night went from dinner to comfortable lounge and then later to DJ stylized music venue, I noticed that every establishment I visited did not serve any Grey Goose Vodka. It was wiped clear off the menu in every place I visited.
Clearly the distributors of Ketel One Vodka and Belvedere were making a strong statement to the procurement department of these high end velvet rope establishments. I am amazed and confused as what the price negotiations must be if you will not even allow Grey Goose to be served in your glitzy venue. Someone please contact me and tell me what kind of deal these high end establishments are getting to push Grey Goose off the map?
While I do enjoy Ketel One, I want the option of Grey Goose to remain available. Since this occurred throughout the weekend in every establishment I visited it was not random and I want to know why distribution is squeezing the competition off the shelf rather than drum up some creative advertising to press the reputable brand.
In my mind, the hardest to procure, the hardest to source, must be so rare and so elite, it is now extinct. I am now "Grey Goose Hunting" in the streets of Boston where we actually have a choice and for full disclosure I actually have a position in Diageo while I wonder aloud about what kind of deal is going on with these NY distributors. Let’s get to the truth. Comments welcomed.
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